Solution: Best case scenario: Put your SPF on before you even put on your bathing suit, says Evans. Use a spray form like Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunscreen, $8.99, which will give you even coverage and make it easy to reach your back (unless you have the luxury of having a partner around to apply the lotion for you). But if life happens and you don't get the chance to put it on ahead of time, just bring your spray sunscreen with, and be sure to apply it thoroughly and under your bathing suit straps and the edges of the suit.
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Mistake: Only wearing sunscreen, but not wearing protective clothing
Solution: Wearing protective clothing and accessories like hats, shirts, sunglasses (and even gloves) in addition to sunscreen make for doubly safe sun, says Dr. Evans. You can find protective clothing with sun protection UPF 50+ online at sites like Sunday Afternoons.
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Mistake: Washing it off
Solution: Think you deserve a gold star for wearing SPF on your hands? If you wash them often, you could be less protected than you think. Wear a hand lotion with sunscreen in it, says Evans. Try something like Neutrogena Norwegian Age Shield Formula Hand Cream SPF 30, $4.99. And keep it in your purse.
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Mistake: Applying self-tanner or makeup on that contains a low SPF and then going out in the sun
Solution: You may think self-tanner blocks sun, but most non-traditional sunblock products only have an SPF 4 in them, so you need to make sure to also apply a true sunscreen, says Evans. The same goes for makeup that contains SPF -- you may think it's sufficient, but again, it might be a low SPF and it's certainly not enough if you're going to be outside for extended periods of time.
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Mistake: Believing that wearing sunscreen in a tanning booth protects your skin
Solution: It doesn't. Better yet, just skip tanning beds all together, says Evans. Ten minutes in a tanning bed is equal to getting a full day of unprotected sun exposure -- ouch. So instead harming your skin, try one of the 9 best self-tanning products.
Raise your hand if you've ever gotten an embarrassing, lobster-like sunburn or a dorky farmer's tan. Yup, us too. What about having tanorexic tendencies by soaking up the sun any chance you get and/or hitting up the tanning bed for that insta-bronze and rush of endorphins? Check. Or what about arduously applying sunscreen, but missing that big patch on your upper back, the tops of your feet or your scalp? Check. If you're guilty as charged to some of these sunscreen offenses, then let's get with it already and make healthy skin a priority.
Expert dermatologists Dr. Linda Evans and Dr. Debra Jailman set the record straight about some of the many sunscreen misconceptions out there. And here they offer up solutions to the mistakes you might be making by clarifying things like how much sunscreen you should use and how often to apply it, and they suggest winning skin care products that'll prevent sun damage -- since it's not healthy or pretty. Case in point: Evans said that she has a few patients who are older nuns (yes, nuns see dermatologists too) and they have minimal skin damage (thanks to years wearing habits and never exposing their bodies). On the other hand, her patients who worship the sun have skin with way more free-radical damage and consequently look a lot older. While we're not suggesting that you need to take vows of poverty, chastity and service and never wear a bikini again to keep your skin safe -- we are saying it might be time to stop making these common sunscreen mistakes that can damage your skin for good.
